Here’s how COVID-19 can severely affect our offspring



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A recent study, published in the Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases, revealed that by the end of 2020, approximately 300,000 babies could be born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Read also – COVID-19 live updates: India cases increase to 87,28,795 while death toll reaches 1,28,668

The study said exposure to COVID-19 could pose a risk to the health and aging of people who are not yet born. Also Read – Main Lasting Health Effects in COVID-19 Patients After Hospitalization

“Millions more will be born into families that have experienced tremendous stress and upheaval as a result of the pandemic, even if they haven’t been infected,” said study authors from the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States. Read also – Wearing face masks with valves to protect yourself from COVID-19? Stop now!

Long-term impacts of COVID-19

While the long-term effects of COVID-19 on children have yet to be seen, researchers can find some insight into the past, including the 1918 flu pandemic and previous coronavirus diseases such as SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012.

“The 1918 flu pandemic had a long-term impact on the exposed in utero cohort, which experienced early adult mortality and more diabetes, ischemic heart disease and depression after age 50,” said study author Caleb Finch. ‘USC.

“The COVID-19 pandemic may also have long-term impacts on the cohort that was in utero during the pandemic, from exposure to maternal infection and / or from the stress of the pandemic environment,” Finch added.

Yes, maternal viral infections can affect fetuses!

Maternal viral infections can affect fetuses through multiple pathways, from direct transmission via the placenta to inflammatory responses that disrupt metabolism in the uterus and adversely affect growth.

While direct maternal-fetal transmission of the virus and severe birth defects appear to have been rare during previous coronavirus outbreaks, there were increases in preterm delivery and low birth weight during both the 2002 and 2009 SARS H1N1 influenza outbreaks. , which are possible consequences of increased inflammation.

Preterm birth may be linked to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infections

While studies on COVID-19 and pregnancy are still in their early stages, there have already been some troubling findings that deserve a closer look in ongoing studies, the authors wrote.

Rising preterm birth rates may be linked to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infections, and other studies indicate that serious illness is related to a higher risk of stillbirth.

Other potential dangers, including the increased risk of blood clots presented by both pregnancy and severe COVID-19, also need further study.

“We suggest that to capture the consequences of in utero viral exposure for infant development and adult health, COVID-19 birth cohort studies consider the immediate collection of data from the mother, fetus, newborn and placenta.” , the team noted.

India’s active workload shrank to 4,80,719

The active workload of COVID-19 in India shrank to 4.80,719, recording a four-day run of less than five lakhs of active cases.

In a statement, the health ministry said that the share of active cases in the total of positive cases further decreased to 5.48%.

(With input from agencies)

Published: November 14, 2020 at 12:49 pm




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